Leafs and prospects so far

Leafs

The leafs have been an interesting and inconsistent team so far, After a horrible first 10 games of which they went 1 and 9 they’ve started playing better going 6-7 and being pretty competitive, this is no doubt the product of Babcock. Unfortunately this play hasn’t helped in the standings as they’re last in their division and 3rd last in the league, granted the expectations weren’t very high going into the year. I wouldn’t expect them to climb out of the bottom 10 either because at the deadline most of the 1 year players will most likely be flipped for picks. However a shining star has been the performance of James Reimer, he’s 7-3-4 with a 2.07 GAA ( 9th in the league ) and a .934 Save Percentage ( 4th in the league ) unfortunately he’s suffered an injury and will be out for a little bit.

Prospects

The leafs AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies have had a terrific start to their season they’re 2nd in the league and first in their division while boasting a 15-5-1 record through 21 games. Another source of hope is the offensive output of top prospect William Nylander, the 19 year old Swedish forward is first in the league in points and t-4th in goals with 24 points in 19 games ( 10g 14a ). Other Marlies have done decent too, after a slow start Leispic has 4g, 9a for 13 points, Hyman has 2g and 7a for 9 points, Kapanen has 7 points and Gauthier also has 7. Unfortunately Brown suffered and ankle injury 8 games in, he will be out until Christmas at the earliest.

CHL

Meanwhile in the CHL various prospects have been playing hard, Marner has been exceptional putting up 15 goals and 32 assists for 47 points which puts him in 4th for points while playing fewer games then all 3 ahead of him, Dermott has 24 points in 26 games, Timashov has also been torching his junior league with 45 points. Also Jeremy Bracco committed to the Kitchener Rangers of the Ohl earlier this year joining an already great team, he has 16 points in 13 games. Also it’s that time of year, World Juniors time! Marner is a shoe-in for Canada and Dermott has a strong possibility of making it. Bracco could also make USA’s team. Kapanen and Nylander could play for their respective countries if the leafs chose to release them.

Draft

An interesting storyline to follow going into the draft this year will be Alexander Nylander the younger brother of William Nylander. Right now he plays for the Ohl team the Mississauga Steelheads. He’s draft eligible this year and is a projected to be drafted around 20th which is around where the Pittsburgh Penguins pick (which the leafs acquired in the Kessel trade) will land. Maybe William and Alexander could be the new Henrick and Daniel Sedin’s? Alexander is having a decent season with the Steelheads he’s put up 39 points in 28 games in his first season in the Ohl.